9: Helping and Altruism
- Page ID
- 38943
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 9.1: Understanding Altruism- Self and Other Concerns
- This page explores altruism and helping behaviors, highlighting the differences between them. Altruism involves selfless actions for others, while helping may be self-serving. Influencing factors include reciprocity, social norms, and evolutionary motivations. The role of rewards and social learning is examined, particularly how external pressures and positive role models affect helping. Additionally, moral dilemmas illustrate the conflict between self-interest and altruism.
- 9.2: The Role of Affect- Moods and Emotions
- This page examines the influence of emotions on helping behaviors, highlighting that positive moods increase willingness to help, while guilt can also motivate assistance. It distinguishes between personal distress, which may lead to withdrawal, and empathy, which encourages helping. A study by Batson et al.
- 9.3: How the Social Context Influences Helping
- This page explains Latané and Darley's model of helping behavior, using the Kitty Genovese case as a backdrop. It emphasizes how emotional factors like guilt and empathy, along with social context, affect individuals' likelihood to intervene in emergencies. Key concepts include the diffusion of responsibility and pluralistic ignorance, which hinder action in group situations. The model outlines steps of noticing, interpreting, taking responsibility, and acting, supported by evidence.
- 9.4: Other Determinants of Helping
- This page examines the factors influencing altruism, highlighting personal characteristics, gender differences, and religious beliefs. It indicates that altruistic personalities, empathy, and societal perceptions of deservingness play vital roles in helping behaviors. Cultural differences between individualistic and collectivistic societies further impact altruism. Emotional engagement and personal connections enhance the likelihood of helping, supported by social norms and Good Samaritan laws.
- 9.5: Thinking Like a Social Psychologist About Altruism
- This page examines different forms of helping and altruism, emphasizing their importance in social dynamics. It discusses motivations behind helping, including empathy and self-interest, and how these factors affect assistance behaviors. The chapter invites readers to reflect on their own helping tendencies and the influences on their altruism, promoting a stronger community and personal fulfillment through acts of kindness.
- 9.6: Chapter Summary
- This page discusses altruism as a selfless act aimed at improving others' welfare without expecting rewards. It highlights its importance for survival and reproductive success, especially among kin. Influencing factors on helping behavior include social norms, emotions, perceived costs, and personal ties. Latané and Darley's model explains how situational assessments affect the decision to assist.